Resources for Teachers of the Visually Impaired

We've compiled a list of books, products, programs, and other resources especially for teachers of the visually impaired, and the students and families they serve. Use the links below to navigate.

TVI Toolbox
For Parents & Caregivers
For Your Students
More Programs from National Braille Press
More Tools & Fun

TVI Toolbox




		Just Enough to Know Better: A Braille Primer By Eileen Curran One volume print book with exercises in braille: $20.00 Now in a revised UEB edition, this primer is for every Mom, Dad, or teacher who just want to know enough braille to help their blind son or daughter learn to read. It's fun ... it's easy ... it's a self-paced workbook that teaches you just enough braille to know better.
		Nemeth Reference Sheets Large print or Braille/Tactile: $16.95 Or get both for $30.00 A handy reference book that logically organizes the myriad symbols that make up the Nemeth braille code for math. Large Print Three columns across each page show the print, braille, and ASCII symbols for each character, followed by helpful examples. (See a sample page here.) Braille/Tactile: Charts in each section show the braille and tactile symbols for each character, followed by helpful examples. (See a sample page.)
		UEB Reference Sheets for Math Large print or Braille/Tactile: $16.95 Or get both for $30.00 A handy reference book that logically organizes the myriad symbols that make up the Nemeth braille code for math. Large Print: Three columns across each page show the print, braille, and ASCII symbols for each character, followed by helpful examples. (See a sample page here.) Braille/Tactile: Charts in each section show the braille and tactile symbols for each character, followed by helpful examples. (See a sample page.)
		Because Books Matter Large Print: Free Large Print in Spanish: Free Because Books Matter introduces new parents (and teachers) to the joys of reading print/braille books with blind children. The booklet shares basics about the braille code and why braille reading is so important. Send for your free copy today! Limit: One per customer. Email us to discuss costs for ordering more than one copy.
		Because Pictures Matter: A Guide to Using, Finding, and Creating Tactile Imagery for Blind Children Large Print: Free Large Print in Spanish: Free Pictures are part of the world we all live in. Pictures matter for blind children because pictures matter for everyone. This booklet for parents and teachers explains "how" and "why" to introduce tactile graphics in the home and at school. Limit: One per customer. Email us to discuss costs for ordering more than one copy.
		Unified English Braille Symbols Chart Large Print: $5.00 This 11" x 17" poster shows the Unified English Braille Symbols for letters, numbers, punctuation, and 189 contractions. Note: This is the same chart that is included in our book Just Enough to Know Better.
		Unified English Braille Symbols List Large Print/Braille: Free Brief list of most common UEB changes in large print and braille, compiled by NBP's transcribers and proofreaders. Limit: One per customer.
		Individual Braille Transcription List Braille or Word/Download: Free A listing of organizations that will braille single copies, or small quantities, of a document. Limit: One per customer.
		Braille Alphabet Cards Large Print/Braille Pack of 35: $8.50 Pack of 35 cards in Spanish: $8.50 Perfect for the classroom! A packet of 35 print/braille (embossed) braille alphabet card without contractions. (To conserve space and increase reading speeds, the braille code contains 189 contractions.) Note that one free Alphabet Card is included in each free ReadBooks! Book Bag.
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For Parents & Caregivers




		ReadBooks! Because Braille Matters National Braille Press distributes FREE braille book bags to families with blind and visually impaired children, ages birth to seven, across the U.S. and Canada. The distribution process is a collaborative effort with educators and early intervention professionals. Read more about ReadBooks, and sign up for your free book bag! Note: Limited to one braille book bag per blind child per lifetime.
		Just Enough to Know Better: A Braille Primer By Eileen Curran One volume print book with exercises in braille: $20.00 Now in a revised UEB edition, this primer is for every Mom, Dad, or teacher who just want to know enough braille to help their blind son or daughter learn to read. It's fun ... it's easy ... it's a self-paced workbook that teaches you just enough braille to know better. Note that a copy of this book is offered for free when you receive a ReadBooks! Book Bag (there is a coupon/form in each bag, redeemable for a free copy of Just Enough to Know Better.)
		Because Books Matter Large Print: Free Large Print in Spanish: Free em>Because Books Matter introduces new parents (and teachers) to the joys of reading print/braille books with blind children. The booklet shares basics about the braille code and why braille reading is so important. Send for your free copy today! Limit: One per customer. Email us to discuss costs for ordering more than one copy. Note that a copy of this book is included in each free ReadBooks! Book Bag.
		Because Pictures Matter: A Guide to Using, Finding, and Creating Tactile Imagery for Blind Children Large Print: Free Large Print in Spanish: Free Pictures are part of the world we all live in. Pictures matter for blind children because pictures matter for everyone. This booklet for parents and teachers explains "how" and "why" to introduce tactile graphics in the home and at school. Limit: One per customer. Email us to discuss costs for ordering more than one copy. Note that a copy of this book is included in each free ReadBooks! Book Bag.
		Getting Ready for College Begins in Third Grade: Working Toward an Independent Future for Your Blind/Visually Impaired Child By Carol Castellano Print or Braille: $25.00 All parents hope for an independent future for their blind/visually impaired child. To turn that hope into a reality, Getting Ready for College Begins in Third Grade offers an approach to the development and education of blind and visually impaired children based on the concept of equal expectations and the right to equal opportunity. Getting Ready for College Begins in Third Grade will inspire parents and teachers with the confidence and enthusiasm for the task at hand.
		Braille for the Sighted Large Print only: $9.95 An introduction to braille for those who are sighted. Games and activities help you learn the alphabet and numbers to complete a variety of games and activities. This book is perfect for introducing the braille code to sighted kids. The letters are introduced, and then word and picture games are used to help you memorize them. Note that this book does not teach punctuation or contractions.
		Braille Alphabet Cards Large Print/Braille Pack of 35: $8.50 Pack of 35 cards in Spanish: $8.50 Perfect for the classroom! A packet of 35 print/braille (embossed) braille alphabet card without contractions. (To conserve space and increase reading speeds, the braille code contains 189 contractions.) Note that one free Alphabet Card is included in each free ReadBooks! Book Bag.
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For Your Students




		Braille Spelling Dictionary Large Print/Braille: $15.00 Perfect for anyone learning braille OR the UEB code! Contains 1400 elementary-level words, listed alphabetically without definitions, enabling elementary school-age children to look up the spelling of words independently. Both the contracted and uncontracted braille version of each word is given.
		The Big Book of Braille Puzzles: 50 Searches, Anagrams, and Ladders to Help You Master Braille By Eileen Curran, M.Ed. Braille: $20.00 Large Print: $10.00 Or get both for $25.00 For ages 10 and up — anyone who wants to practice braille! Fifty word search puzzles, anagrams, and word ladders to help you master common braille contractions; strengthen your overall braille reading skills; practice for braille competitions; and provide you with hours of fun. Answer keys are provided at the end of the book.
		Tactile Alphabet Letters and Numbers Braille/Tactile: $10.00 Four tactile sheets show the 26 letters (uppercase and lowercase) and 10 numbers in print, along with braille! A perfect introduction for preschoolers.
		Dear Deer: A Book of Homophones Print/Braille Picture Book: $6.99 While any early reader or writer can get tripped up by homophones, they can be especially tricky for young braille users who may have heard the words, but have never come across them in writing. In Dear Deer, author Gene Barretta uses homophones in simple, sometimes silly sentences, placing the same-sounding words into a context that clearly demonstrates their meaning and usage.
		Board Books in Print/Braille Format Introduce babies to words on board books — sturdy picture books with simple text. These board books are a combination of print and braille — the same books that sighted children read, but adapted with braille labels. Check out the full list — we're always adding new books!
		The Children's Braille Book Club Join for One Year: $100.00 Join for Six Months: $50.00 Or sign up to receive free monthly flyers describing the new books Welcome to the only Children's Braille Book Club featuring a new print/braille book every month! See our list of recent and upcoming Book Club Selections!
		Science Experiments & Activities Hands On Science Activities: For Pre-school to Second Grade By Dr. Lillian A. Rankel and Marilyn D. Winograd Large Print/Braille: $20.00 Science teacher Dr. Lillian Rankel, and Marilyn Winograd, teacher of the blind, have written 34 step-by-step experiments for blind youngsters to do at home with family and friends. Out-of-Sight Science Experiments for Grades 2-5 By Dr. Lillian A. Rankel and Marilyn D. Winograd Large Print/Braille: $20.00 32 step-by-step experiments for blind youngsters to do at home with family and friends, or as part of a science fair project.
		Stir It Up! Recipes & Techniques for Young Blind Cooks Large Print/Braille: $20.00 Stir It Up! was created especially for young blind children to get started in the kitchen. We all love to eat and we all need to know how to prepare food — blind children are no exception! The left side of the page includes adaptive cooking techniques, and the right side contains simple instructions for young blind cooks. The print/braille book format allows everyone in the family to cook from the same book.
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More Programs from National Braille Press




		The Children's Braille Book Club Join for One Year: $100.00 Join for Six Months: $50.00 Or sign up to receive free monthly flyers describing the new books Welcome to the only Children's Braille Book Club featuring a new print/braille book every month! See our list of recent and upcoming Book Club Selections!
		Great Expectations brings popular picture books to life using a multi-sensory approach — songs, tactile play, picture descriptions, body movement, engaged listening — all designed to promote active reading experiences for children with visual impairments. Each of the eight books in the series is accompanied by 100% free online activities made especially for blind kids. Start by selecting a book in the series, then click through to purchase the book and discover hours of activities! Grumpy Monkey Lemonade in Winter: A Book About Two Kids Counting Money Measuring Penny Amazing Grace Iggy Peck, Architect Pete the Cat: Rocking in My School Shoes The Day the Crayons Quit Dragons Love Tacos
		ReadBooks! Because Braille Matters National Braille Press distributes FREE braille book bags to families with blind and visually impaired children, ages birth to seven, across the U.S. and Canada. The distribution process is a collaborative effort with educators and early intervention professionals. Read more about ReadBooks, and sign up for your free book bag! Note: Limited to one braille book bag per blind child per lifetime.
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More Tools & Fun

		Tactile Caliper By Squirrel Devices Braille: $18.00 The Tactile Caliper is a simple to use, accurate, low-cost measuring ruler for the blind and visually impaired that provides a braille output to 1/16th of an inch. Measure with accuracy and speed! Watch a video showing how the Caliper works!
		Slate and Stylus Braille: $6.95 This plastic Standard Slate writes four lines of Braille, with 28 cells per line, and is intended for use with standard, letter-sized 8-1/2" X 11" paper. It's Pins Up, meaning the pins that hold the paper in place are on the bottom. Read more specs for the slate and stylus.
		TVI Bumper Sticker Print and Simbraille: $6.00 These braille bumper stickers from SensorySun.org display your love for braille on your car, laptop, or anywhere you choose. The word "TVI" is displayed in print and simbraille. Size: 6" wide x 4" high. Color: Black on White Background. (Note that the braille is completely visual simbraille and is not embossed as traditional tactile braille.)
		Braille Alphabet Cards Large Print/Braille Pack of 35: $8.50 Pack of 35 cards in Spanish: $8.50 Perfect for the classroom! A packet of 35 print/braille (embossed) braille alphabet card without contractions. (To conserve space and increase reading speeds, the braille code contains 189 contractions.) Note that one free Alphabet Card is included in each free ReadBooks! Book Bag.
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